Instrument panel vent

ABSTRACT

An instrument panel is provided for use in a vehicle interior. The instrument panel includes an outer surface, a vent mad a step. The vent is arranged along the outer surface to direct forced air toward a specific area of a window in the vehicle. The step is formed along the outer surface of the instrument panel to promote formation of a turbulent buffer that reduces adhesion between air exiting the vent and the outer surface.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to an instrument panel vent for an automotivevehicle. More particularly, the invention relates to an instrument paneldesign that reduces adhesion between air exiting the vent and an outersurface of the instrument panel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Vehicles typically include vents built into or formed in the instrumentpanel for directing forced air onto specific areas of a window orwindshield in the vehicle. Modern instrument panels often have outersurfaces that are gently sloping or otherwise horizontal relative to thevents, which often results in adhesion between the air exiting the ventand the outer surface of the instrument panel This results in air beingdrawn to areas other than the intended specific area of the window orwindshield. Thus, it remains desirable to provide an improved designthat eliminates the issue of adhesion between air exiting the vent andthe outer surface of the instrument panel in order to improve the flowof air toward the intended specific area of the window or windshield inthe vehicle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the invention, an instrument panel isprovided for use in a vehicle interior. The instrument panel includes anouter surface, a vent and a step. The vent is arranged along the outersurface to direct forced air toward a specific area of a window in thevehicle. The step is formed along the outer surface of the instrumentpanel to promote formation of a turbulent buffer that reduces adhesionbetween air exiting the vent and the outer surface.

According to another aspect of the invention, a vehicle includes awindow, a duct and an instrument panel. The duct provides forced air tobe directed toward a specific area of the window. The instrument panelhas a vent directing the forced air from the duct toward the specificarea of a window. The instrument panel has an outer surface that extendsbetween the vent and the specific area of the window. The instrumentpanel further has a step formed between the vent and the outer surfaceof the instrument panel, to promote formation of a turbulent buffer thatreduces adhesion between air exiting the vent and the outer surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as thesame becomes better understood by reference to the following detaileddescription when considered in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an interior of a vehicle illustrating aninstrument panel according to one embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the instrument panel shown in FIG.1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, an instrument panel is indicated at 10. Theinstrument panel 10 includes an air vent 12 that directs forced airtoward a side window 14 of a door 16. The air vent 12 includes aplurality of slats 20, 22 that help to guide the air toward a targetedarea of the side window 14, particularly near a side view mirror 18. Inconventional instrument panel designs, air flow from the vent 12 willtypically “adhere” or flow along a leading outer surface 24 of theinstrument panel 10. Adhesion causes the air to flow generally from tieexit of the vent 12 along a path, as illustrated by the arrow B, awayfrom the targeted area of the side window 14. To reduce or eliminateadhesion between tie flow of air exiting the air bent 12 and a leadingouter surface 24 of the instrument panel 10, a raised lip or step 30 isprovided adjacent the vent 12. The step 30 causes the air flow to followa desired path, as illustrated by the arrow A, toward the targeted areaof the side window 14.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the step 30 is raised relative to the bottomslat 22 to interfere with the air flow from the vent 12 and therebycreate a turbulent buffer along the exit of the vent 12. The formationof the buffer reduces or eliminates boundary effects and surfaceadhesion between the air flow and the outer surface 24 of the instrumentpanel. The step 30 extends longitudinally along the width of the vent 12to maximize air flow toward the targeted area of the side window 14. Theheight H of the step 30 is predetermined and can range between 2 mm to 4mm relative to the bottom slat 22. The height H of the step 30 generallydepends on the difference between the approach angle of a duct 40, whichcarries the forced air to the vent 12, and the angle of the leadingouter surface 24 of tie instrument panel 10, which is disposed on anopposite side of the step 30 relative to the vent 12. This difference inangle is indicated at a in FIG. 1. A larger angle α allows for a smallerstep height H. Conversely, a smaller angle α requires a larger stepheight H.

Alternatively, the step may be positioned spaced apart from the vent,such that the height of the step is determined relative to the outersurface instead of the bottom slat.

In one embodiment, wherein the angle α is approximately 21 degrees, astep height H of approximately 3 mm results in a substantial reductionor elimination of adhesion between the air flow from the vent 12 and theleading outer surface 24 of the instrument panel 10. In general, a lipor a step along the exit of the vent 12 is desired where the angle α isless than approximately 26 degrees.

Although only one side of the vehicle is shown in the figures, it shouldbe readily appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the art thatthe arrangement described above is applicable to both sides of thevehicle. This arrangement may also be used in other locations in thevehicle where it is desired to eliminate the effects of adhesion betweenthe air flow exiting a vent and an adjacent outer surface in order toensure proper air flow to a desired area of the vehicle.

The invention has been described in an illustrative manner. It is,therefore, to be understood that the terminology used is intended to bein the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. Manymodifications and variations of the invention are possible in light ofthe above teachings. Thus, within the scope of the appended claims, theinvention may be practiced other than as specifically described.

1. An instrument panel for use in an interior of a vehicle, saidinstrument panel comprising: a vent directing forced air toward aspecific area of a window in the vehicle; an outer surface extendingbetween the vent and the specific area of the window; and a step formedbetween the vent and the outer surface of the instrument panel topromote formation of a turbulent buffer that reduces adhesion betweenair exiting the vent and the outer surface.
 2. An instrument panel asset forth in claim 1, wherein the vent includes a plurality of slatsspaced apart to allow forced air to pass there-through.
 3. An instrumentpanel as set forth in claim 2, wherein the step extends at apredetermined height relative to a bottom slat of the plurality ofslats.
 4. An instrument panel as set forth in claim 3, wherein thepredetermined height ranges between 2 mm and 4 mm.
 5. An instrumentpanel as set fort in claim 4 including a duct that delivers forced airthrough the vent and extends at a predetermined approach angle relativeto the specific area of the window.
 6. An instrument panel as set forthin claim 5, wherein the difference between the approach angle and theangle of the outer surface of the instrument panel is less than 26degrees.
 7. An instrument panel as set forth in claim 2, wherein thestep extends at a predetermined eight relative to the outer surface. 8.An instrument panel as set forth in claim 7, wherein the predeterminedheight ranges between 2 mm and 4 mm.
 9. An instrument panel as set forthin claim 8 including a duct that delivers forced air to the vent, theduct having an approach path that extends along an angle relative to theouter surface of less than 26 degrees.
 10. An instrument panel as setforth in claim 9, wherein the step extends generally along the width ofthe vent.
 11. A vehicle comprising: a window; a duct providing forcedair to be directed toward a specific area of the window; and aninstrument panel having a vent directing the forced air from the ducttoward the specific area of a window, the instrument panel having anouter surface that extends between the vent and the specific area of thewindow, the instrument panel further having a step formed between thevent and the outer surface of the instrument panel to promote formationof a turbulent buffer that reduces adhesion between air exiting the ventand the outer surface.
 12. A vehicle as set forth in claim 11, whereinthe step has a height of at least 2 mm.
 13. A vehicle as set forth inclaim 11, wherein a portion of the duct extends at an angle of less than26 degrees relative to the outer surface of the instrument panel.
 14. Avehicle as set forth in claim 13, wherein the step has a height of atleast 2 mm relative to the outer surface.
 15. A vehicle as set forth inclaim 13, wherein the vent includes a plurality of slats, wherein abottom slat of the plurality of slats is spaced below the outer surfaceof the instrument panel.
 16. A vehicle as set forth in claim 15, whereinthe height of the step extends between the bottom slat and the outersurface of the instrument panel.
 17. A vehicle as set forth in claim 16,wherein the height of the step is at least 2 mm.
 18. A vehicle as setforth in claim 11, wherein the step extends generally along the width ofthe vent.